Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Neuroplasticity
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with neuroplasticity? 10 human studies have investigated VNS for neuroplasticity, including 3 RCTs, 5 controlled trials, and 2 narrative reviews, published between 2015 and 2025, with 8 published since 2022. Studies use transcutaneous auricular (taVNS), implanted (iVNS), and transcutaneous cervical (tcVNS) stimulation. Findings vary by study design and population; the studies below are ranked by evidence strength so you can weigh the research directly.
3 RCTs · 5 controlled trials · 2 narrative reviews
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 3Randomised controlled trials
- 5Controlled clinical trials
- 2Narrative & scoping reviews
Stimulation Method
- 6taVNS
- 3iVNS
- 1tcVNS
Research Momentum
8 of 10 studies (80%) published since 2022 — an actively growing evidence base.
The studies
10 studies · strongest evidence firstTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation modifies cortical excitability in middle-aged and older adults
Gerges et al. · Psychophysiology · 2025 · n = 23
RCTstaVNSTranscutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation improved motor cortex excitability in healthy adults: a randomized, single-blind, self-crossover design study
Wang et al. · Frontiers in Neuroscience · 2023 · n = 28
RCTstcVNSThe effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on cortical excitability
Capone et al. · Journal of Neural Transmission · 2015 · n = 10
RCTstaVNSInvestigating the effects of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on motor cortex excitability and inhibition through paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation
Boscarol et al. · NeuroImage · 2025 · n = 49
controlled trialstaVNSTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation reduces error amplitude during force field learning in healthy adults
Obata et al. · Scientific Reports · 2025 · n = 32
controlled trialstaVNSEnhancing Motor Sequence Learning via Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS): An EEG Study
Chen et al. · IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics · 2024 · n = 22
controlled trialstaVNSTranscutaneous vagus nerve stimulation at nonspecific timings during training can compromise motor adaptation in healthy humans
St Pierre et al. · Journal of Neurophysiology · 2023 · n = 24
controlled trialstaVNSVagus nerve stimulation as a promising adjunctive treatment for ischemic stroke
Ma et al. · Neurochemistry international · 2019
controlled trialsiVNSThe evolution of neuromodulation for chronic stroke: From neuroplasticity mechanisms to brain-computer interfaces
Saway et al. · Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics · 2024
narrative reviewsiVNSVagus Nerve Stimulation as a Potential Therapy in Early Alzheimer's Disease: A Review
Vargas-Caballero et al. · Frontiers in human neuroscience · 2022
narrative reviewsiVNS